Automatic pressure-controller.



1. ASTROME AUTOMATIC PRESSURE CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. 1915.

1 ,1 96,91 9. I Patented Sept. 5,1916.

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JOHN ASTROM, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOB TO FORT WAYNE ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 013 FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

AUTOMATIC PRESSURE-CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1216.

To-all whom it may concern Be it known that T, JOHN As'rRoM, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Pressure- Controllers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear. and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to a controller by which to automatically make and break the circuit supplying current to an electric-motor employed in connectionwith an air-compressor discharging into a storage-tank, the organization of the controller being such that the circuit is closed to start the motor when pressure in the tank is lowered to a predetermined degree, and broken to stop said motor when said pressure in said tank is raised to a predetermined high degree.

The invention consists in what is herein particularly set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims of this specification, and its object is to provide simple, economical and efficient controllers each adapted for the purpose above noted.

Figure 1 of the drawings represents a sectional view of one of my improved automatic controllers, the section being indicated by line 11 in Fig. 2, and in this View a lever element of the controller-is partly broken away; Fig. 2, represents an elevation of said controller, and Fig. 3, a horizontal section indicated by line 3 3 in Fig. 1.

Referring by characters to the drawings, 1

represents a frame which is illustrated in the form of a cylinder having a bottom flange 2 between which and the flange 3 of a head 4 is fitted a flexible diaphragm 5, the same being clamped between the flanges by means of bolts 6. The head 4: is provided with a threaded opening for the reception of a supply pipe, whereby fluid under pressure is admitted to the lower side of the diaphragm. A pressure-plate 8 that extends from a stem 9 rests upon the upper face of the diaphragm and is held in engagement with said diaphragm by a coiled spring 10, the upper end of which coiled spring is arranged to abut against the collar portion of an adjustable sleeve 11. The

.sleeve is in threaded union with a cap portion 12 of the frame, whereby the tension of said spring can be adjusted. The stem 9 extends through the sleeve 11 and is connected by a pin 13 to spanner ears 14E of a rockerarm 15. The rocker-arm isfulcrumed to a pin 16, the same being held between jaws 17 that extend from the cap portion 12 of the frame. The rocker-arm 15 is of the bellcrank type, a leg 15 of which extends downwardly in an approximately parallel position with relation to the frame 1 and the free lower end of said rocker-arm has projecting therefrom companion cars 18 carrying a pin 19, upon which pin and between the cars is mounted a spring-controlled foot 20. The end of the rocker-arm leg 15 is hollowed out to form a pocket 21, into the lower end of which pocket the heel portion 20 of the foot extends. A coiled spring 22 is fitted into the pocket under compression between the base of said pocket and the heel 20 of the foot. The toe end 20 of the spring-controlled foot is forked and provided with a pin 23, which pin forms a fulcrum for the lower end of a trip-link 24.

As best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings the toe portion of the foot and link 24 connected thereto, is fitted between legs of a switch arm 25, the lower end of the same being pivotally mounted upon a pin 26 which is carried by a lug 28 that projects from the flange 2 of the frame. The upper end of the trip-link is pivotally connected to the switch arm by a pin 29, as shown. The switch-arm 25 carries a cross-bar 25 at its upper end, the same being fitted between jaws of said arm and is held in position by a set-screw 30. Thus it will be seen that the switch-arm as a whole is in T-shaped form, the said crossbar being constructed of fiber or other suitable insulating material. The ends of the switch-arm cross-bar 25 have secured thereto, by screws 31, contact members 82, which contact members are preferably built up from several layers of flexible plates of high conductivity, the said plates being curved to increase their elasticity and are of the brush type.

Bolted to the frame 2, facing the switch arm, are two insulating blocks 33 by means of screws 84, the said blocks being, as shown, spaced apart at opposite sides of the switch arm and fitted to pads with which the frame is provided. Four contact plates 35 are fastened to the blocks 33 by screws 36, each one of said contact plates being under and adapted to engage an end of the brush contact members 32. The contact plates 35 are each provided with a lug 37 for the reception of electric wires 38, 38, 39, 39, respectively, and, for example, the conductor wires 38 and 38 form the terminals of the current supply line and the conductor wires 39, 39, are arranged to supply the motor consuming current.

A bifurcated lug 40 is extended from the frame 1 at a point between the insulating blocks 33, the same being fitted with a pin el-l, upon which pin is mounted a locking dog 42 of the bell-crank type. A tail-piece 42 of the locking dog extends downwardly terminating at a point opposite the lower end of the trip link 24. The body portion of said locking dog is extended through the legs of the switch lever arm 25 and the body terminates with a nose having stepped notches 4-3, 43, which notches are adapted to engage the web portion 25 that con' nects the legs of the switch arm below its cross-bar member. A coiled spring la is interposed between the frame 1 and the lower end of the tail-piece of the locking dog, the same being under compression whereby the body of the latch-dog is forced upwardly and held into engagement with the web 25 of said switch-arm. By providing the locking dog with notches as stated upon different planes, it will be observed that when the switch is forced inwardly to close the circuits, the inner notch 4-3 will hold said switch arm in its closed po sition and when the switch-arm is released whereby the circuits are broken, its outwardly swinging movement will be limited by engagement of the web 25 with the notch 43.

From the foregoing description it is manitest that if the controller elements are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the ends of the brush contacts 32 are held in engagement with the contact plates 35, 35, being held in such engagement by the notch 43 of the locking dog and also by pressure of the spring 22 through its exertion of force upon the switch-arm by the interposed foot and link, thus imparting to the switch arm a movement toward the contact plates 35. This movement is due to the fact that the link coupling pin 23 is swung beyond an imaginary vertical or neutral line intersecting the axis of the link coupling pin 29, whereby the lower end of the link is drawn outside or beyond the neutral line and is exerting a constant pressure to hold the switch arm in a position to close the circuits. In this closed position of the switch the current from wires 38 and 38 passes from the upper contact plates 35, through the, contact brushes 32, to the lower contact plates 35 and from thence through wires 39 and 39' to the motor.

As the fluid pressure under the diaphragm 5 increases and overcomes the opposing force of the spring 10, the pressure plate 8 will cause the stem 9 to lift, whereby movement will be transmitted to the rocker-arm, causing its leg 15 to swing inwardly or in the direction indicated by the arrowin Fig. 1. In describing this movement the pin 23, which is connected to the lower end of the trip-link, will assume a neutral position in direct alinement with the coupling pin 29 at the upper end of the link. In this position the force of. the spring 22 will exert a straight end thrust upon the link, which will not influence movement of the switch arm. A slight further movement of the lower end of the switch arm in the same direction, suflicient to cause the link pin 23 to pass beyond the dead center, would immediately release the pressure of spring 22 and the trip link will quickly act by swinging inwardly toward the tail piece 42 of the locking dog to engage the same, whereby the nose 43 of said locking dog is retracted from engagement with the web 25 of the switch-arm and hence the said switch arm is forced outwardly, by the action of spring 22, to break the circuits. Thus the quick action exerted upon the link, by the stored power of sprin 22, will throw the switch arm in its circuit breaking position, independent of any movement of the rocker-arm, after the initial movement of said arm is effected, to slowly shift the position of the link pin 23, whereby the movement is completed independent of said rocker-arm movement.

It is also manifest that the switch arm operates in a similar manner to a snap switch and its movement in the direction described is limited by engagement of the notch 4L3 of the locking dog, with the web portion 25 of said switch arm, it being understood that the delicate spring l l is readily compressed by the action of the opposing foot and stronger link controlling spring 22. The parts will remain in this position until the pressure of the fluid under the dia phragm decreases when the reverse movement of the apparatus will take place due to the action of the rockerarm, under spring control in opposition to said fluid force, whereby the parts will again assume the position shown in Fig. 1, closing the circuits and allowing the pump to resume its action whereby the pressure of the fluid is increased to the predetermined number of pounds per square inch, at which time the diaphragm is again distended and the motor is thus automatically stopped by breaking of the circuits which supply current thereto.

l/Vhile the controller is adapted to be employed in connection with a motor and storage tank in which a predetermined pressure of fluid is maintained, owing to the fact that this mechanism forms no part of my invention,- it is not thought necessary to describe or illustrate the same.

Attention is also called to the fact that while I have minutely described the controller elements having a fluid for operating a rocker-arm in one direction and a spring for operating the rocker arm in the opposite direction, this mechanism broadly forms no part of my invention with the exception that it is embodied in the general combination of novel features, which novel features are those having reference es 9ecially to the quick acting mechanism or completing the movements of the switcharm.

I claim:

1. In a controller having a rockerarm, fluid means for actuating the rocker-arm in one direction in opposition to a resisting force, and an oscillatory switch-arm; the combination of a spring tensioned foot mounted upon one end of the rocker-arm, and a linkconnecting the foot and switch arm, one end of the link being positively; actuated by the rocker-arm to travel across a neutral line of thrust whereby the stored power of the spring-controlled foot will impart a quick movement to the switch-arm independent of the rocker-arm movement.

2. In a controller having an oscillatory rocker-arm, an adjustable tensioned spring for actuating the rocker-arm in one direction, means under variable fluid pressure for actuating the rocker arm in opposition to the spring, and a switch arm; the combination of a link havingone end in piv otal union with the switch arm, a springcontrolled foot associated with the rockerarm, and a connection between the foot and link, whereby said link is caused to travel across an imaginary vertical line intersect ing the upper axis of the link to impart a quick opening and closing movement to the aforesaid switch arm.

3. In a controller having a rocker-arm, fluid means for actuating the rocker-arm in one direction in opposition to a resisting force, and a switch'arm; the combination of a spring-controlled foot carried by the rocker-arm, a link connecting the switcharm and foot, a locking dog for said switcharm, and releasing means extending from the locking dog for engagement with the associated foot and link mechanism.

4L In a controlling mechanism having a rocker-arm, a spring for actuating the rocker-arm in one direction, fluid-controlled means for actuating the rocker-arm in opposition to the spring, and an oscillatory switch-arm; the combination of a link having its upper end in pivotal union with the switch-arm, the link being extended upon a plane approximately in alinement with the switch-arm relative to its axis of oscillation, a foot in pivotal union with the rocker-arm having a toe extension in pivotal union with the lower end of the link, a heel-piece extending from the foot, and a spring carried by the aforesaid rocker-arm engageable with the heel-piece.

5. In a controlling mechanism having a rocker arm, a spring for actuating the rocker-arm in one direction, fluid-controlled means for actuating the rocker-arm in opposition to the spring, and an oscillatory switch-arm; the combination of a pivoted spring-controlled locking dog having a notch for engagement with the switch-arm, a spring-controlled foot in pivotal union with the rocker-arm, a link connecting one end of the foot and said switch-arm, and release means extending from the locking dog under control of the link mechanism.

6. In a controlling mechanism having a rocker-arm, a spring for actuating the rocker-arm in one direction, fluid-controlled means for actuating the rocker-arm in opposition to the spring, and an oscillatory switch-arm; the combination of a pivoted spring-controlled locking-dog having pairs of notches for engagement with the switcharm, a spring-controlled foot in pivotal union with the rocker-arm, a link connecting oneend of the foot and said switcharm, and release means extending from the locking dog under control of the link mechanism.

7 In a controller having a rocker-arm provided with a pocket at one end, a spring for actuating the same in one direction, fluid controlled means for actuating the rocker-arm in opposition to the spring, and a switch-arm; the combination of a foot in pivotal union with the pocketed end of the rocker-arm having a heel portion extending into the pocket, and a toe portion extending in the opposite direction, a link connection between the toe portion of the foot and switch arm, means for locking the switch arm in its closed position, and means associated with the link for releasing the switch-arm locking means.

8. In a controlling mechanism having a. rocker-arm, a spring for actuating the rocker-arm in one direction, fluid-controlled means for actuating the rocker-arm in opposition to the spring; the combination of an oscillatory switch-arm having a cross-bar at its free end, contact members carried by the cross-bar, terminal plates arranged to be engaged by the contact members when the switch-arm is in its closed position, a spring-controlled release dog for locking the switch-arm in its closed position, a spring-controlled foot carried by the free end of the rocker-arm, a link having its upper end in pivotal connection with the switch-arm and its lower floating end in In testimony that I claim the foregoing pivotal connection with the foot, the lower I have hereunto set my hand at Fort 10 end of the link being adapted to travel lVayne, in the county of Allen and State across an imaginary vertical line intersectof Indiana, in the presence of two Witnesses.

ing its upper fixed axis, and means extencl- JOHN ASTROM. ing from the locking dog for releasing the Witnesses:

same when the link is moved in one direc- J. E. MORING,

tion. C. E. CRO'MWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing"v the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

